McBurney Transport Group recently introduced new software to support the management of its fleet of 1,400 vehicles and trailers. Using the system, developed and supplied by Freeway Fleet Systems, the group can now control every part of its fleet maintenance operations from a single interface.
McBurney initially began researching IT systems that could automate its repair and maintenance process, but through evaluating the options available, discovered that Freeway could offer added value with additional product features, integrations, and a high level of customisation.
McBurney’s Fleet Manager, Sammy Hamill explained, “As part of the evaluation process we visited another existing Freeway user to see the system working in a live environment. This gave us the confidence to proceed with the Freeway installation because we realised how tailored it could be to our specific requirements. The visibility over asset costs and stock control, as well as simplified external and internal invoicing procedures, were additional benefits that we could see being extremely beneficial from the outset.”
The company has been supported through the implementation by Freeway’s Irish partner, Genie Insights Ltd. After five months of planning and configuring the system, as well as providing staff training, McBurney Transport Group went live with Freeway in September.
The Freeway system is now managing over 1,400 live McBurney Transport Group’s assets, including trucks, trailers, vans, and shunters, with extensive vehicle information available for analysis and reporting. These details include everything from purchase date and horsepower, to tyre size and emissions levels, and even the asset’s depreciation schedule. In addition, McBurney Transport Group is now scheduling over 6,000 annual service checks using Freeway, including truck and trailer OLIs, MOTs, oil changes, tachograph calibrations, and fridge motor inspections.
The system has also been introduced to 20 HGV mechanics and trailer fitters across the company’s two maintenance facilities in Ballymena and Liverpool, all of whom are using the Freeway mobile application for defect recording and for completing inspections.
Raymond Burns, Workshop Manager at McBurney’s Liverpool depot, had this to say: “I am well known for having very particular processes and controls, so I was initially apprehensive about Freeway. Not only has the system coped with my high expectations, it has also delivered a number of additional benefits. For example, we now operate in a completely paperless environment, and I have a much greater visibility of stock availability and usage”.
Throughout the implementation, a bespoke componentry scheme was designed for the McBurney Transport Group’s operation to facilitate the coding and import of over 4,000 parts in the company’s combined impress and owned inventory stock.
The McBurney Freeway system has been configured to integrate with the company’s existing IT infrastructure, including its transport planning system, vehicle walk-around check application, and accounts package. Planners are now notified of critical defects and service items due or overdue; fitters are automatically notified of defects and job cards automatically generated for rectification work; and all purchase orders, maintenance sales invoices, and stock level adjustments are pushed into the company’s accounts package.
Finance Director Pamela McCrea commented, “We are really pleased with how the system is working so far. We have found it to be a cost-effective solution and it is surprisingly easy to use, even for those that aren’t particularly experienced in using technology. The back-up from both Freeway and Genie Insights has been first-class throughout.”
Matt Reeve, Director at Genie Insights added, “Freeway is not an ‘off-the-shelf’ system, and is designed and implemented around the customers’ requirements, internal terminology, and unique operational processes. Using the large and complex McBurney group operation, we have been able to demonstrate just how versatile and bespoke Freeway can be.”
